Israeli authorities renew order to confiscate Palestinian lands in Qalqiliya

March 20, 2017 5:23 P.M. (Updated: March 20, 2017 9:05 P.M.)

Agricultural gate in Falamya (Photo: ARIJ)

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli authorities have renewed a military order for the confiscation of Palestinian lands in the villages of Jayyus and Falamya in the northern occupied West Bank district of Qalqiliya, official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Jayyus Mayor Ghassan Harami told Wafa that local Palestinian farmers received the order Monday morning, noting that a similar order was issued four years ago for the same land, which he estimated to represent 169 dunams (41.76 acres).

Harami denounced the move, saying that under the guise of "false" security pretense, Israel has continued to seize Palestinian-owned lands located beyond the illegal separation wall.

He added that the village’s local council, along with municipality officials and local farmers from both towns, would continue to challenge the order until the seized land was returned to its Palestinian owners.

Palestinian farmers in the area have been cut off from their land by the separation wall as well as by a number of checkpoints and "agricultural gates" that open at specific times each day, accessibleonly to those holding special Israeli-issued permits. Israeli authorities have arbitrarily closed the gates for days at a time.